The Golden Palominos: Dead Inside

Less a band than a continuing experiment by percussionist Anton Fier, The Golden Palominos has in the past included such notables as John Zorn, Syd Straw, Michael Stipe and Richard Thompson, thereby ensuring the curiosity of music fans. Though always evolving, even followers of the band may be shocked by this latest incarnation, a collection of mostly electronic tracks backing spoken-word artist Nicole Blackman. Fier and Blackman have made a bold move by creating an album that sounds like nothing else: at once futuristic and a throwback to the sort of intentionally futuristic music made in the early '80s. Fortunately, it pays off in a big way. Blackman's performance coalesces fruitfully with Fier's production, and tracks such as "Ride" and "Curses" accomplish the kind of marriage of technology and meaningful dread that Trent Reznor can only dream of producing.